Focusing attachment for cameras.



No. 659,062. Patented Oct. 2', I900.

J. GAUT. FOCUSING ATTACHMENT FOR CAMERAS.

(Application filed Kay 10, 1900.)

(No Model.)

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH GAUT, OF LEIOHHARDT, NEW SOUTH WALES, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TOJOHN JOSEPH ROUSE, OF SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES.

FOCUSING ATTACHMENT FOR CAMERAS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 659,062, dated October2, 1900.

Application filed May 10, 1900. Serial No. 16,225. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH GAUT, artist, a subject of the Queen of GreatBritain, residing at No. 63 Renwick street, Leichhardt, near Sydney, inthe British Colony of New South Wales, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Focusing Attach ments for Photographic Cameras, of whichthe following is a specification.

These improvements in photographic cameras consist, primarily, in thecombination, with the camera, of a detachable focusing attachmentconsisting of a'mirror or reflector having an upward and outwardinclination from the lower edge or from near said edge and to the rearof said focusing-screen. These improvements consist, further, in theparticular combination, with the aforesaid inclined mirror or reflector,of certain mechanical parts hereinafter particularly described andspecifically claimed.

In order that this invention may be clearly understood, reference willnow be made to the drawings herewith, which show various construct-ionsof cameras having these present improvements affixed thereto and certainnovel features of construction of my improvements or parts thereof readyto be affiXed to cameras.

In the said drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a bellows-camerawith my invention attached. Fig. 2 is an elevation of a similar camera,taken from the opposite or rearward side of the camera shown in Fig. 1,part of the extensible bellows being broken away to economize space.Fig. 3 is an elevation of a similar camera; taken from the same side,showing some modifications in construction. Fig. 4 is a perspective viewof a similar camera, showing a hood or cover for the inclined mirror orreflector. Figs. 5 and 6 are side elevations showing cameras ofslightlydifferent constructions having my invention applied thereto.Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing my invention detached from thecamera and so constructed that it may readily be applied to or removedfrom the same. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a slightmodification in construction.

In the said drawings the referenceletter A indicates the lens of acamera; B, the front frame; 0, the bellows, and D the rear frame, whichmay, if desired, include a swingback.

The letter E denotes the frame of the focusing-screen which is attachedto the back frame D.

F is the focusing mirror or reflector, which is set in a frame F. Thisframe is jointed to the lower part of the frame E of the focusingscreenby means of straps F which are screwed or otherwise fastened to the backframe D or to the swing-back, which when it is used forms a part of saidback frame. The ends of the straps project sufliciently to providesupports for pivots which project from the ends of the frame F in linewith its lower side, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings. Theupper side of the frame F is connected to the back frame D by means ofbars F which are jointed together at their ends, so as to fold. The endsof the jointed bars are pi votally connected to the back frame D byset-screws F which pass through slots F in two of the bars F by means ofwhich the angle of inclination of the mirror or reflector F can be veryaccurately adjusted.

The type of camerashown is used with the ordinary focusing-cloth, andthe image formed upon the ground glass focusing screen in the frame E isreflected by the mirror F, upon which it appears in a natural or normalposition. When properly focused, the ground-glass screen is replaced bythe dark slide, and the sensitive plate is exposed, as is wellunderstood. When the camera is not in use, the frame F is folded againstthe frame E, the jointed side bars F lying against the ends of saidframe. If preferred, however, the pivotal supports can be sprung out ofthe ends of the straps F and the slotted side bars released from theset-screws F The camera shown in Fig. 2 is of the same type as that inFig. 1, but shows the side bars F at a lower point, their connection tothe reflector F being at or near the middle point of the ends of theframe F and to the ends of the back frame D at a point about the samedistance below the top of said frame. The position to which thereflector F may be turned when its use is not required is shown in saidfigure in dotted lines.

In the camera shown in Fig. 3 the projecting ends of the straps F havehalf-round open bearings f formed in their ends to receive short studsor pint-les f, which project from the lower extremities of the end barsof the frame F. 'lhese pintles are adapted to be placed in thehalf-round bearingsf, the frame being supported at an inclination bymeans of side bars F pivoted to the ends of said frame at or near themiddle. The end bars in this modification are not jointed, but areslotted and connected to the back frame in substantially the same manneras in Fig. 2. When the reflector is not required, it maybe turned to theposition shown in dotted lines.

I may hinge the reflector F to the lower side of the frame D, as shownin Fig. 4:, and provide it with a hood or cover consisting of extensibleand collapsible sides G and a rigid lid or cover G. One edge of thelatter is hinged to the upper side of the frame E, its opposite edgebeing adapted to rest upon the top of the frame F, to which it may beconnected by a catch G The cover is provided with sightopenings G bywhich the images are focused upon the ground glass and reflected by theinclined mirror. When the camera is not in use, the catch isdisconnected, the cover G is raised somewhat, and the reflector isturned up against the frame D, the cover G being then dropped againstits outer face or back of the reflector F. The catch G which may be aspring or any other form of fastening, can be utilized to hold the coverin the position last mentioned and keep the reflector in place.

Figs. 5 and 6 show my invention applied to cameras having a cavity orchamber back of the focusing-screen to contain dark slides. In thisconstruction the reflector is preferably hinged either to the lower sideof the frame D, which forms the chamber, as shown in Fig. 5, or insidethe frame D at the lower part of the frame E, as in Fig. 6. Its ends Iare provided with friction devices G which bear against the inner facesof the ends of the frame D to hold the reflector at any point. A rigidcover G is hinged to the top of the frame D at the back and providedwith folding sides G and asight-opening G. The reflector is foldedagainst the frame E when not in use and is held by the friction devicesG the cover G being allowed to drop.

My invention maybe a detached part of the camera capable of applicationthereto when used and of removal when its use is not required. I haveshown in Figs. 7 and 8 an attachment of this kind, consisting of a frameK, which may hold the focusing-screen and be attached to the camera inthe same Way. The reflector F is hinged to the lower side of said frameand is provided with folding sides G, connected to the mirror and to theframe H. A rigid cover J is hinged to the top of the frame H andprovided with sight-openings J and a catch J to engage the top of theframe of the reflector. The mirror F can be folded up against the frameH, and the cover may then be dropped down overits outer face. The mirrormay be supported by side bars K, having slots K to receive setscrews Kwhich are screwed into the frame II. The mirror F is provided with sidebars L, pivoted at one end to the sides near the top and at the otherend to the cover or rigid top M, which is hinged at its edge to theupper edge of the mirror at M. It has a collapsible sight-frame Mmounted on a rigid part of the cover, the portion M of the latter beingflexible to allow for the adjustment of the inclination of the mirror.

IVhat I claim is The combination with the rear frame of a photographiccamera, of a focusing-screen suitably connected thereto, a pair ofstraps secured to said rear frame and projecting outwardly therefrom, aframe F pivotally connected at its lower end to said straps, carrying areflector and capable of variable inclinations, a pair of jointedfolding bars connected at one end to near the top of said frame F and attheir opposite end adj ustably secured to said rear frame, and means forad justing said bars lengthwise, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH GAUI.

l/Vitnesses:

FRED WALSH, PERCY NEW'ELL.

